Barker Reservoir
FISH SURVEY AND MANAGEMENT DATA
Benjamin Swigle - Aquatic Biologist (Fort Collins/Boulder)
[email protected] / 970-472-4364
General Information: Barker Reservoir (198 surface acres) is a storage reservoir owned and operated
by Boulder Water. Shore angling is allowed at designated areas. Anglers can expect to most frequently
catch brown and rainbow trout. Tiger muskie, splake and lake trout are also present.
More Information: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/
Location: 15 miles west of Boulder via HWY 119 or ½ mile east of Nederland.
Owner/Operator: City of Boulder
Purchase a Fishing License: https://www.co.wildlifelicense.com/start.php
Fishery Management: Coldwater angling
Amenities
Primitive Restrooms
Hiking Trails
Shoreline angling
Sportfishing Notes
Rainbow Trout
Rainbow trout are stocked at
both sub-catchable (3-5”) and
catchable size (10”).
Previous Stocking
2016
Rainbow Trout
Cuttbow Trout
Brown Trout
Kokanee Salmon
Tiger Muskie
Tiger Muskie
tigers are present in
Barker; they appear to roam
lake-wide.
Tigers are stocked in relatively
low numbers to provided a
diversified fishery and control
suckers.
Generally stocked at 8”.
Large
Regulations
watercraft allowed
(Boulder Water Regulation).
No ice fishing.
Swimming, wading, and diving
are prohibited.
Min. size for Tiger Muskie is
36” (1 fish).
Use or possession of live fish
as bait is prohibited.
Bag/Possession limit for
Kokanee Salmon is 10 fish.
Snagging salmon allowed
October 1 – December 1.
2015
Brown Trout
Hofer Strain Rainbow
Rainbow Trout
Kokanee Salmon
Tiger Muskie
No
2014
Arctic Grayling
Brown Trout
Hofer Strain Rainbow
Rainbow Trout
Kokanee Salmon
Tiger Muskie
Kokanee Salmon
Originally stocked in 2012.
Salmon made the first “run”
to
the inlet Fall 2014.
Stocked to diversify angling
opportunity.
Spawn take operations may
take place during 2017.
2013
Brown Trout
Hofer Strain Rainbow
Rainbow Trout
Kokanee Salmon
Tiger Muskie
2016 Barker Reservoir Survey Summary
Completed 9/14/2016 (6 Gillnets)
SPECIES
BROOK TROUT
CUTTHROAT TROUT
ARCTIC GRAYLING
LAKE TROUT
KOKANEE SALMON
BROWN TROUT
RAINBOW TROUT
LAKE CHUB
WHITE SUCKER
LONGNOSE SUCKER
2008
1%
Total Catch Percent of Survey
2
0.79%
3
1.18%
2
0.79%
2
0.79%
40
15.75%
11
4.33%
60
23.62%
11
4.33%
46
18.11%
77
30.31%
2012
1%
3.1
11%
Average Length
(range inches)
7.1 (7-8)
10.4 (7-13)
29.3 (17-47)
22.6 (22-23)
10.3 (7-14)
13 (5-21)
8 (6-13)
4.4 (4-5)
16.5 (11-19)
10.1 (4-14)
0
11.1
Average Weight (lbs)
0.14
0.43
7.61
4.02
0.30
1.19
0.22
0.04
1.11
0.16
2016
4.4
4.8
Rainbow/Cutthroat
9.3
25
16
Sucker
Kokanee
Brown/Lake/Splake
Other
87%
76.5
48
Pie Charts. These figures represent the relative abundance by year (2008, 2012, 2016) of various trout, kokanee, and
sucker (longnose and white). Management plans for Barker Reservoir following the 2008 season have focused to reduce
sucker abundance while simultaneously increasing sportfish biomass. Stocking predatory trout species (lake, splake, and
brown) combined with switching to a hofer-strain sub-catchable rainbow has partially accomplished these objectives.
Relative to 2008 numbers the goal of reducing sucker biomass has been successful but still needs work. To maintain sucker
abundance closer to 50% of the total catch tiger muskie and brown trout will continue to be stocked.
Tiger muskie have been stocked in Barker Reservoir.
Fortunately this species was available for stocking in 2012.
The Wray hatchery has delivered nearly 3,000 muskie
averaging 8.7 inches since October, 2012.
Barker Reservoir 39.8” 15.5 lbs
Kokanee Salmon were first stocked into Barker Reservoir in
May 2012. This stocking created the first run of salmon to
the inlet during October/November 2014 resulting in the
harvest of hundreds of fish. CPW did not initiate a
regulation change ahead of the kokanee stocking program
simply because we had no evidence or data suggesting the
program would be a success. Fortunately the plan worked
and a run of salmon occurred and should likely continue
(kokanee stocked 2013-2016). Snagging kokanee salmon
will be a legal method of take between October 1 and
December 1.
Besides snagging, an additional to catch running kokanee
salmon at Barker Reservoir is to build a rig with a 3-way
swivel, dropper weight, and 4-6ft leader attached to a hook
tipped with and an egg pattern (corkie). This is a tried and
true method long used by salmon anglers in the Pacific NW.
Barker Reservoir Inlet